Pivac: I am a Welsh coach, I don't feel like an outsider

Pivac: I am a Welsh coach, I don't feel like an outsider

WALES will have a second successive New Zealander at the helm when Wayne Pivac takes over next year – but the head coach says he's no outsider thanks to his Scarlets success.

Warren Gatland will hand the reins to his compatriot following the World Cup in Japan after Pivac leapt to the top of the Welsh Rugby Union's shortlist because of his exploits in Llanelli.

He took over at Parc y Scarlets in 2014 and led them to the Guinness PRO12 title last year before making the semi-finals of the Champions Cup and final of the PRO14 last season.

Pivac will have one more campaign out west before becoming Wales' 23rd coach, following Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Gatland as Kiwis at the helm.

However, he feels that his time at the Scarlets means he has come through the system as a 'Welsh' coach.

"The biggest thing for me was, having lived in the country for four years I don't see myself as an outside coach coming to do Wales," he said.

"I see myself as a Welsh coach. I am obviously from New Zealand, but I don't feel like an outsider.

"It's an advantage to know regional rugby the way I do, what goes on in the regional game and working with the WRU over a number of years. I felt more comfortable putting my name forward and I feel as if I am a Welsh coach."

Pivac has another year at the Scarlets, extending a spell that has given him a good insight into players and prospects at all four regions.

"I think that will help, it won't hinder things," said the former policeman. "It's not just the knowledge of the Scarlets players, it's all the others in Welsh rugby.

"We (Scarlets) prepare to face the Blues, Ospreys and Dragons each year so that information will be vital.

"It's a good way to get into things and I think this 12 months of build-up will be fantastic from a personal perspective. There are a lot of things we can do between now and then to speed things along."

Pivac will pit his wits at regional level with individuals that will want to impress him from 2019 onwards.

"If I was a player I'd want to impress in every game of the PRO14 with the way the division is now and if the head coach is down the hall then I'd find that I'd be especially motivated," he said.

Gatland will leave as Wales' most successful and long-serving coach but has one last major target – the World Cup. Pivac insists he wants to take over a team at the top.

"I'd like to see Wales win the World Cup, obviously," he said.

"I've been living here four years now and coaching within the system and been glad to promote those guys into the Welsh side. You want to see those guys do well and Wales do well.

"Warren has had success - Grand Slams - and it's something I want to achieve. There's no reason why you can't have success.

"People at the Scarlets probably felt we were a wee way off a few years ago but a bit of hard work and you can achieve great things.

"I'm sure the talent that is in Wales and the success we've seen on the last tour, the consistent form, the win/loss record, shows that it gives us every opportunity to do well."

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